In the summer of 2014, a dozen volunteers came together to launch a new effort to build the next generation of leaders and advocates for Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Putting their collective skills and networks to work, their inaugural “Après Beach” event at Jetties Beach attracted 225 people to meet, mingle, and learn about NCH.  Led by co-chairs Tyler Hardy and Tad Lee, the Friends of NCH (affectionately known as FONCH) hopes to create broad-based awareness and visibility for the hospital and encourage support of the new building project.

Photos courtesy of Townpool Nantucket.

As global health care and the needs of all those who inhabit and enjoy Nantucket continue to evolve, the future of Nantucket Cottage Hospital and its role in providing access to the highest quality medical services is paramount. Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the Board of Trustees are pleased to introduce “The Friends of Nantucket Cottage Hospital” – the next generation of leaders and donors who respect the 100 year history of NCH and also bring new insights to help guide the hospital into the future.

The Friends of Nantucket Cottage Hospital has been established to foster the next wave of leaders who will collaborate to ensure that NCH is able to continue to deliver state-of-the-art medical services on Nantucket. The founding group of the Friends committee is compromised of 11 individuals who share a common passion for the future success of Nantucket Cottage Hospital. It consists of both on- and off-island residents who possess a wide range of professional and personal experiences. Their goal will be to effectively leverage the diverse skill sets and expansive networks of the team to create broad-based awareness and visibility to the hospital. Critical to this mission will be to encourage support of the new hospital building project.

“Nantucket is blessed with unmatched natural beauty, vibrant cultural resources, talented people and a rich history,” said Friends of Nantucket Cottage Hospital co-chair Tad Lee. “Nantucket should have a world-class medical facility that matches the qualities of this special place.”  (more…)

Jenny Paradis is a former Age Group, High School, and Collegiate swimmer who made her home on Nantucket after graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1982. Joining the Swim Across America “family” in 1993 as a land volunteer in Nantucket and continuing as a swimmer in SAA’s Boston Harbor event for many years, Jenny was thrilled to play a part in bringing SAA back to Nantucket in 2012 to support cancer care on the island. She is currently the Fundraising Chair for Swim Across America – Nantucket.  (more…)

Jim’s first experience with Swim Across America was in 1994 when, as a competitive youth swimmer on Nantucket, he took part in an Olympic Swim Clinic put on by the organization before their swim from Nantucket to Hyannis.

18-years later in 2012, Swim Across America came back to Nantucket for their 25th Anniversary. As the Aquatics Director at the Nantucket Community Pool, Head Coach of the Dolphins Swim Team, and Head Coach of the Varsity Swim Team at Nantucket High School, Jim was asked to help promote the event and create the Nantucket Swimming fundraising team.  (more…)

Jill, a life-long swimmer, has been involved with Swim Across America since 2012 when she participated as a swimmer in the 25th anniversary Swim Across America event on Nantucket. She formed Team Roethke to swim in honor of her husband Steve, a melanoma survivor. Since then, Team Roethke continues to be one of SAA-Nantucket’s top fundraising teams. (more…)